Marin Readers' Forum for June 13

I would like to congratulate the Marin Association of Realtors for taking a stand against Plan Bay Area.

This plan is much worse than it appears to be on the surface, which already is very bad.

To better understand what is happening, I suggest Marin residents read the book written by Mill Valley resident Bob Silvestri, "The Best Laid Plans: Our Planning and Affordable Housing Challenges in Marin."

If Plan Bay Area is not stopped, Marin will no longer be Marin.

Diane Hoffman, Fairfax

Dump supervisors, ABAG

If Marin residents aren't happy with what the supervisors are doing, get rid of them before they can make any irreversible decisions.

It seems that many of them have future political aspirations and are doing someone else's bidding.

As far as the Association of Bay Area Governments, opt out.

Do we really need another layer of government?

Phil Sherriff, Novato

Global warming at work

On June 8, the IJ reported on research at the Tiburon Romberg Center. Apparently, limpets begin to die when the temperature of their environment rises beyond the conditions they've evolved in.

Not surprisingly, most life forms have similar troubles. Why else does every home in Las Vegas come with air conditioning?

Seriously, global warming is threatening extinction for millions of species. But temperature rise is not the only danger to life on the planet caused by fossil fuels.

Because the earth's atmosphere touches the ocean over 70 percent of the planet's surface, a large percentage of carbon dioxide pollution is absorbed by the ocean.

There it reacts with water, creating a more acidic ocean and using up carbonate ions that many sea creatures need to build their shells.

In Tomales Bay, oyster growers are already having a harder time because of this. Unchecked ocean acidity will lead to the collapse of entire food webs in the ocean.

This problem is often referred to as "osteoporosis of the sea," or simply "the other CO2 problem."

Whatever you call it, the only solution is to stop burning fossil fuels.

In addition to federal Clean Air Act regulations, the most promising policy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a steadily rising fee on carbon pollution, including a border tax, and a plan to return all dividends to residents.

Then, the switch to alternative energy sources will be accelerated. Maybe even in time to keep enjoying our wonderful local oyster farms.

Harold Hedelman, Woodacre

A Dipsea to remember

Recently, my daughter, Kerstin, blew out her Achilles tendon while competing in a well-known endurance running event. She underwent surgery and spent eight long months in physical therapy just learning how to walk again.

Her motivation became her desire for her and her uncle, Wade, to run together in their first Dipsea, the oldest trail race in America, dating back to 1903. The race from Mill Valley, up and through Muir Woods, and which ends-up in Stinson Beach is time handicapped so that both young and old are able to compete head-on with the best of the elite runners.

Many thanks to the committee for selecting their applications from the many thousands that are sent in each year. Their selection allowed them the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful, historic event.